By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP
Advance Managing Editor
The big day is almost here. The day I've heard so much about.
In previous years, the biggest thing happening on the last weekend of October may have been a key college football contest, or perhaps a trip to the nearest haunted house. But, of course, this year all attention is focused on Williams Station Day.
Sure, I've been to festivals, arts and crafts shows and carnivals, but from all I've heard Atmore's special day is unlike any of these others. I've been to watermelon festivals where seed-spitting was the highlighted event of the day and carnivals where one ride costs ten bucks and a splitting headache.
It seems in what I've learned so far, that Williams Station does not revolve around these cheap tricks and gimmicks. Instead, the Chamber of Commerce and all those who volunteer go all out to bring the best entertainment and artists to Atmore.
Our city will be host to members of the Traditional Country Music Hall of Fame and a musician-storyteller who has won several national awards for his work.
Roy Harper, the hall-of-famer, said his music is like a trip back to the 1920s and 30s. I'm very intrigued with Harper because I have also said to be a fan of "classic" country music. But, I've always considered classic country Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash and as far back as I go would have to be Hank Williams. Getting a chance to hear the country music that preceded old Luke the Drifter will not only be a treat, but also an education.
Timmy Abell, winner of the Parents Choice Award and the American Library Association Award, should be just as interesting. With a collection of rare musical instruments, Abell presents folk music that is educational and fun.
I can't say that I love art the way I do music. Over the past five years I've been to more arts and crafts shows than I care to mention.
The difference at WSD is that the art is juried which should make for extraordinary exhibits. My wife, who unlike myself enjoys the arts-and-crafts, won't have to drag me through this one. I can't say that I've been to a juried show before so I look forward to seeing the difference.
With all to see, hear and do, you can bet I will work up an appetite, but that shouldn't be a problem as I've already been given several tips on what to try first.
But, what I look forward to the most in WSD is a chance to watch our community come together to create something special for the city. Many people have worked hard to make this event possible and without the support of the entire community, it would surely fall.
I hope to see everyone at WSD. If you don't know me, I'll be the guy eating a corndog and listening to the music.
Have a fantastic and fun-filled Williams Station Day.